Franke Violin Studios

10/20/2020

I'll be playing at Cafe Hollander in Mequon Friday the 23rd from 6pm to 8pm. I will also be there on Friday the 30th.
By the way, if you sign up for their rewards club you get a free beer or appetizer! https://cafehollander.com/
I'll be at Cafe Benelux , third ward, Milwaukee, on Saturday the 31st from 8pm to 10pm.
https://cafebenelux.com/
See you there!!

10/14/2020

I'll be playing at Cafe Hollander in Mequon Friday from 6pm to 8pm. I hope to see some classmates from Homestead as well as Trinity of Freistadt! I will also be there on the 23rd and 30th.
By the way, if you sign up for their rewards club you get a free beer or appetizer! https://cafehollander.com/

10/08/2020

Jon Franke
Hi All! I will be performing from 8pm to 10pm Friday October 9 at Cafe Benelux - Third Ward, Milwaukee. Join me on the tented, heated, socially distanced rooftop patio. I'll also be at Cafe Hollander in Theinsville on Oct. 16, 23, and 30th from 6pm to 8pm. Hope to see some Homestead classmates!

11/23/2019

February 1931 issue of Etude magazine. Note the poster in the background for an old time fiddlers contest!

10/10/2019

Shortly after I was born 63 years ago my grandfather gave my parents a pear tree. The tree was grafted with Bartlett pear. Not long after being planted the graft did not survive, however the hearty root-stock flourished. The tree produced many a pear with last year's crop being particularly good. Sadly, the old pear tree did not survive Wisconsin's harsh winter and wet spring.

Fruit wood has long been used in violin family instruments. My hope is that there is enough usable wood in the tree for several violins. My grandfather's gift will live on.........

02/05/2019

The Creation of Violin #100

02/05/2019

Violin Tasting coming to Corvallis March 10, noon to 6pm, Hilton Garden Inn
A “Violin Tasting” is an exhibit and sale of fine violin family instruments. The event will feature instruments and bows by regional makers. We hope to attract all skill levels - junior symphony to amateur to professional players as well as the general public to see fine violin family instruments and talk to the makers. http://www.violintasting.com/

02/04/2019

I wrote the following in April 2006. It's true today as it was then..... On we go.......

Monday Morning Violin Maker
The Real World of Violinmaking

Imagine if you will, an enjoyable weekend with family and friends. It is now Monday morning. Somewhat forgotten from last week are today's tasks. The sun has been up for an hour, breakfast was nothing special - just enough to make it through the morning so the pangs of hunger don't distract. The solitary craftsman opens the door to the studio. The sun is shining in the lone window and the birds are busy at the feeder and the birdbath. There is a slight essence of the sweet smell of benzoin from Friday's polishing session. This day is unique in that the final details will be achieved. The bench is rightly placed in front of the window as shadows appear from that single source of light in the sky. The time is now to examine the smooth curves and flowing lines, taking advantage of the shadows. Small corrections are made. Think elegance. The piece of wood is tapped and flexed, using the senses of touch, sight, and hearing to make sure everything is right.

It is time to do the final assembly. It has been weeks of work that has led to this point. It's time to sign the inside of his creation. His mind drifts off to the future as he is putting in his mark. Perhaps 200 years from now there will be occasion to repair this one. That is the next time this signature will be seen. It will likely look as fresh as it does today. What will the future hold for this one? How many will enjoy it and be moved by it? Enough daydreaming - back to the task at hand . Heat the glue, clamp, and set aside. It will be about 10 days until the varnish is dry and this instrument is brought to life. This is my Monday morning as a violin maker.

Jonathan S. Franke - Violinmaker
April 2006

04/30/2016

Join me at the Handmade Musical Instrument Exhibit Saturday and Sunday noon to 5pm. 70+ makers with concurrent 15 minute performances on maker's instruments. Guitars, violin family, and more. I'll have a string quartet and a couple 5 string violins to try out. See you there!

http://www.nwmusicalinstrumentshow.org/

Please join us in celebrating the wealth of musical instrument making in the Pacific Northwest on the lovely campus of Marylhurst University, just south of Portland, Oregon.

11/07/2015

Attention Violin Makers. The Channel Scraper tool is back in stock.
http://www.violinsviolascellosbass.com/thechannelscraper.html

The channel scraper tool for violin, viola, and cello

11/03/2014

Imagine if you will, an enjoyable weekend with family and friends. It is now Monday morning. Somewhat forgotten from last week are today's tasks. The sun has been up for an hour, breakfast was nothing special - just enough to make it through the morning so the pangs of hunger don't distract. The solitary craftsman opens the door to the studio. The sun is shining in the lone window and the birds are busy at the feeder and the birdbath. There is a slight essence of the sweet smell of benzoin from Friday's polishing session. This day is unique in that the final details will be achieved. The bench is rightly placed in front of the window as shadows appear from that single source of light in the sky. The time is now to examine the smooth curves and flowing lines, taking advantage of the shadows. Small corrections are made. Think elegance. The piece of wood is tapped and flexed, using the senses of touch, sight, and hearing to make sure everything is right. One of the curves reminds the craftsman of the small of a woman's back - that’s when he knows it’s right



It's time to do the final assembly. It has been weeks of work that has led to this point. It's time to sign the inside of his creation. His mind drifts off to the future as he is putting in his mark. Perhaps 200 years from now there will be occasion to repair this one. That is the next time this signature will be seen. It will likely look as fresh as it does today. What will the future hold for this one? How many will enjoy it and be moved by it? Enough daydreaming - back to the task at hand . Heat the glue, clamp, and set aside. It will be about 10 days until the varnish is dry and this instrument is brought to life. This is my Monday morning as a violin maker.



Jonathan S. Franke - Violin Maker

11/02/2014

I'm spending some time in the Milwaukee area. Should you be in the area and have an interest in trying one of my violins, contact me privately. I have a 5 string violin available as well.